If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

April 2nd softball stats update for Cal & Pac 9...

Cal has a one game lead in the loss column over ASU & UCLA. The Bears are number one in pitching ERA by a wide margin. The team is collectively 2nd in batting average, tied for 3rd in home runs & #2 in stolen bases. And, finally, Cal's defense (fielding percentage) has solidified in the third spot. Overall, the Bears have the balance of a potential championship team. GO BEARS!

Cal swept the Pac Nine softball awards for the second consecutive week with another series sweep. Jo Henderson was Pitcher of the Week, again, this weekend. Jamia Reid was the Player of the Week. GO BEARS!

Go bears

Cal has the 2 top pitchers (statistically) in the Pac 9. Arioto leads the Pac in HRs, J. Reid in SBs.
Cal also has the 2 top hitters (batting average), but they had 12 total at bat between them.
I agree the fielding is much better than the last few years. The infield made some great plays against washington yesterday. IMO, with the infield of 2 years ago, Cal would have lost at least 1 game yesterday.
In the last 2 weeks, Cal played 6 games against top 10 teams and won all 6 games. Gearhart only lost 1 game befor facing Cal, and an ERA a little over 1.00, Cal scored 17 runs off her and beat her twice. Inglesby hadn't lost a game befor this weekend, Cal beat her twice.
This might be the first time since 2002 or 2003 that Cal has good hitters all through the lineup. I remember when Cal had good hitters in the first 6 or 7 sports, but the 8th and 9th hitters were batting around .200.

I was looking at this over the weekend and one thing really jumped out at me: Cal's road/neutral/home records compared to the other teams in the top 5. All of the others have loaded up on home games to compile their records. ASU has played 30 of their 36 games so far at home! Alabama and Texas have played over half their games to date at home. By contrast, Cal has only played 6 home games so far (it was only 3 when I was looking at last week's RPI).

For them to have compiled the record and individual statistics they have this year is impressive. The fact that they've been able to do it even while traveling around the country is amazing.

I was looking at this over the weekend and one thing really jumped out at me: Cal's road/neutral/home records compared to the other teams in the top 5. All of the others have loaded up on home games to compile their records. ASU has played 30 of their 36 games so far at home! Alabama and Texas have played over half their games to date at home. By contrast, Cal has only played 6 home games so far (it was only 3 when I was looking at last week's RPI).

For them to have compiled the record and individual statistics they have this year is impressive. The fact that they've been able to do it even while traveling around the country is amazing.

With them not able to host NCAA tournament games, that experience will really help them come May/June.

Regarding the road record, it is very impressive. The remaining schedule is extremely favorable (not that this teams needs the advantage). The Bears play host to ASU, Arizona, and UCLA and go on the road for Utah, Oregon, and OSU. We play ASU to end the season, which is great competition just before Regionals (and a loss wouldn't hurt rankings/seeding much). What an amazing season this is turning out to be.

Here's ESPN...(link)

Cal is 10-1 (loss to Hawaii in 10 innings) against top 25 teams and 12-1 against teams receiving votes (add DePaul & Syracuse)...The Bears will still have 15 more league battles against ranked teams: three games each vs ASU (home), UCLA (home), Oregon (away), Arizona (home) & Oregon State (away). GO BEARS!